U.S. patent application number 12/811679 was filed with the patent office on 2011-02-24 for system and apparatus for providing a high quality of service network connection via plastic optical fiber.
Invention is credited to Alexander Gordon Dunfield, Bradley George Kelly, Edward Matthew Rooyakkers.
Application Number | 20110044693 12/811679 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40852733 |
Filed Date | 2011-02-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110044693 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kelly; Bradley George ; et
al. |
February 24, 2011 |
SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A HIGH QUALITY OF SERVICE
NETWORK CONNECTION VIA PLASTIC OPTICAL FIBER
Abstract
A media converter for converting between electrical and optical
signals is provided. The media converter includes an
electro-optical transceiver configured to convert an optical signal
into an electrical signal and vice-versa. The electro-optical
transceiver includes an optical signal port connectable to a
plastic optical fiber, the optical signal port for sending and
receiving the optical signal along the plastic optical fiber; and
an electrical signal port for sending and receiving the electrical
signal. The media converter also includes a plurality of means for
electrically conveying the electrical signal. A switch is in
electrical communication with the electrical signal port of the
electro-optical transceiver and with the plurality of means for
electrically conveying the electrical signal, and is configured to
direct the electrical signal from the electro-optical transceiver
to any one of the means for electrically conveying the electrical
signal and vice-versa, thereby facilitating bi-directional
communication. The media converter can also have a telephonic
network access port connectable to a telephone cable, which
includes a pair of power carrying wires for carrying electrical
power. A power supply is in electrical communication with the
switch and the electro-optical transceiver, and power supply wiring
electrically couples the telephonic network access port to the
power supply for powering the media converter by transmitting power
from the power carrying wires to the power supply when the
telephone cable is coupled to the network access port.
Beneficially, by obtaining power from the telephonic network, a low
voltage telecommunications technician is able to install the media
converter within a building, thereby allowing for relatively
inexpensive installation.
Inventors: |
Kelly; Bradley George; (Port
Moody, CA) ; Dunfield; Alexander Gordon; (Burnaby,
CA) ; Rooyakkers; Edward Matthew; (Burnaby,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE, LLP/Seattle
1201 Third Avenue, Suite 2200
SEATTLE
WA
98101-3045
US
|
Family ID: |
40852733 |
Appl. No.: |
12/811679 |
Filed: |
January 5, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
January 5, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CA09/00017 |
371 Date: |
November 10, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61019225 |
Jan 4, 2008 |
|
|
|
61030900 |
Feb 22, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
398/116 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04B 10/40 20130101;
H04M 11/062 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
398/116 |
International
Class: |
H04B 10/02 20060101
H04B010/02; H04B 10/12 20060101 H04B010/12 |
Claims
1. A media converter comprising: (a) an electro-optical transceiver
configured to convert an optical signal into an electrical signal
and vice-versa, the electro-optical transceiver having: (i) an
optical signal port connectable to a plastic optical fiber, the
optical signal port for sending and receiving the optical signal
along the plastic optical fiber; (ii) an electrical signal port for
sending and receiving the electrical signal; (b) a plurality of
means for electrically conveying the electrical signal; (c) a
switch in electrical communication with the electrical signal port
of the electro-optical transceiver and with the plurality of means
for electrically conveying the electrical signal, the switch
configured to direct the electrical signal from the electro-optical
transceiver to any one of the means for electrically conveying the
electrical signal and vice-versa, thereby facilitating
bi-directional communication; (d) a telephonic network access port
connectable to a telephone cable, the telephone cable comprising a
pair of power carrying wires for carrying electrical power; (e) a
power supply in electrical communication with the switch and the
electro-optical transceiver; and (f) power supply wiring
electrically coupled to the telephonic network access port and to
the power supply for powering the media converter by transmitting
power from the power carrying wires to the power supply when the
telephone cable is coupled to the network access port.
2. A media converter as claimed in claim 1 wherein: (a) the
telephone cable further comprises a pair of data carrying wires for
transmitting telephonic data; and (b) the media converter further
comprises: (i) a telephone jack; (ii) data wiring electrically
coupling the telephone jack to the pair of data carrying wires when
the telephone cable is coupled to the network access port, thereby
facilitating telephonic communication.
3. A media converter as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a
feedthrough transceiver configured to convert a second optical
signal into a second electrical signal and vice-versa, the
feedthrough transceiver having: (a) an optical signal port
connectable to a second plastic optical fiber, the optical signal
port for sending and receiving the second optical signal along the
second plastic optical fiber; (b) an electrical signal port for
sending and receiving the second electrical signal; and wherein the
switch is in electrical communication with the electrical signal
port of the feedthrough transceiver and is further configured to
direct the electrical signal from the electrical signal port of the
electro-optical transceiver to the electrical signal port of the
feedthrough transceiver, thereby facilitating daisy-chaining of
media converters via the feedthrough transceiver.
4. A media converter as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for
electrically conveying the electrical signal comprises: (a) a
wireless connectivity module in electrical communication with the
switch; and (b) an antenna in electrical communication with the
wireless connectivity module.
5. A media converter as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for
electrically conveying the electrical signal comprises a network
jack in electrical communication with the switch and configured to
be electrically coupled to a cable for conveying the electrical
signal.
6. A media converter comprising: (a) a housing; (b) a networking
circuitry printed circuit board inside the housing and having
mounted thereon: (i) an electro-optical transceiver and configured
to convert an optical signal into an electrical signal and
vice-versa, the electro-optical transceiver having: (A) an optical
signal port protruding through the housing and connectable to a
plastic optical fiber, the optical signal port for sending and
receiving the optical signal along the plastic optical fiber; (B)
an electrical signal port contained within the compact housing for
sending and receiving the electrical signal; (ii) a plurality of
means for electrically conveying the electrical signal; and (iii) a
switch in electrical communication with the electrical signal port
of the electro-optical transceiver and with the plurality of means
for electrically conveying the electrical signal, the switch
configured to direct the electrical signal from the electro-optical
transceiver to any one of the means for electrically conveying the
electrical signal and vice-versa, thereby facilitating
bi-directional communication; and (c) a power circuitry printed
circuit board inside the housing and having mounted thereon a power
supply in electrical communication with the switch and the
electro-optical transceiver, wherein the power circuitry printed
circuit board and the networking circuitry printed circuit board
are stacked on each other within the housing.
7. A media converter as claimed in claim 6 further comprising an
electrical plug in electrical communication with the power supply
and for insertion into a power outlet, the electrical plug
protruding from the housing such that when the electrical plug is
inserted into the power outlet, the housing is pressed flush
against the power outlet.
8. A media converter as claimed in claim 6 further comprising
electrical contacts in electrical communication with the power
supply and disposed on the housing.
9. A media converter as claimed in claim 8 wherein the housing has
a height of about 2.7 inches, a width of about 3.8 inches and a
depth of about 1.6 inches and wherein the media converter further
comprises a power outlet disposed on a faceplate of the housing and
in electrical communication with the electrical contacts.
10. A media converter as claimed in claim 6 wherein: (a) the
networking circuitry printed circuit board has further mounted
thereon a feedthrough transceiver configured to convert a second
optical signal into a second electrical signal and vice-versa, the
feedthrough transceiver having: (i) an optical signal port
protruding through the housing and connectable to a second plastic
optical fiber, the optical signal port for sending and receiving
the second optical signal along the second plastic optical fiber;
(ii) an electrical signal port for sending and receiving the second
electrical signal; (b) the power supply is in electrical
communication with the feedthrough transceiver; and (c) the switch
is in electrical communication with the electrical signal port of
the feedthrough transceiver and is further configured to direct the
electrical signal from the electrical signal port of the
electro-optical transceiver to the electrical signal port of the
feedthrough transceiver, thereby facilitating daisy-chaining of
media converters via the feedthrough transceiver.
11. A media converter as claimed in claim 6 wherein: (a) the means
for electrically conveying the electrical signal comprises: (i) a
wireless connectivity module in electrical communication with the
switch; and (ii) an antenna in electrical communication with the
wireless connectivity module; and (b) the power supply is in
electrical communication with the wireless connectivity module.
12. A media converter as claimed in claim 6 wherein the means for
electrically conveying the electrical signal comprises a network
jack in electrical communication with the switch and configured to
be electrically coupled to a cable for conveying the electrical
signal.
13. A system for facilitating bi-directional communication between
a media converter and a packet-switched network, the system
comprising: (a) a network hub comprising: (i) a network
communication port in communication with the packet-switched
network; (ii) a plurality of network hub electro-optical
transceivers configured to convert an optical signal into an
electrical signal and vice-versa, each network hub electro-optical
transceiver having: (A) an optical signal port connectable to a
plastic optical fiber, the optical signal port for sending and
receiving the optical signal along the plastic optical fiber; (B)
an electrical signal port for sending and receiving the electrical
signal; (iii) a network hub switch in electrical communication with
the network communication port and in electrical communication with
the electric signal ports of the plurality of network hub switch
electro-optical transceivers, the network hub switch configured to
direct the electrical signal from the network communication port to
any one of the network hub electro-optical transceivers and
vice-versa, thereby facilitating bi-directional communication; (b)
a media converter as claimed in claim 1; and (c) plastic optical
fiber optically coupled at one end to the media converter and at
another end to the network hub.
14. (canceled)
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a system and apparatus for
providing a network connection via an optical fiber composed of
plastics material (hereinafter "plastic optical fiber" or "POF").
Specifically, the present invention relates to a system and
apparatus for providing a high quality of service ("QOS") network
connection via POF suitable for high bandwidth applications.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Increasingly, consumers are relying on packet switched
networks for the delivery of content. An ubiquitous example of such
reliance is the delivery of a myriad of different types of content
via the Internet. In order to facilitate the delivery of content
via the Internet, it is common for consumers to have high-speed, or
broadband, Internet connections. While these broadband connections
provide much greater bandwidth than older connections available
over a traditional public switched telephone network, even when
using such a broadband connection, obtaining the high QOS network
access required for high bandwidth content can be problematic.
[0003] Content in the form of video is one type of high bandwidth
content that is very sensitive to the network limitations inherent
in most broadband Internet connections used today. This video
content can take the form of both video content transmitted over
the Internet, and Internet Protocol Television ("IPTV"), which
transmits video content over private networks distinct from the
Internet. In both cases, a delay in transmitting packets can result
in signal degradation in the form of pixelization or, at worst, a
blank video screen, both of which being unacceptable to consumers.
Such signal degradation can be remedied by increasing the bandwidth
available to the consumer.
[0004] One problem currently faced in increasing bandwidth is
providing a suitable "last mile" network infrastructure. The "last
mile" refers to the final leg of delivering connectivity from a
communications provider to a consumer, and includes the wiring that
provides connectivity within residences such as houses or apartment
buildings, for example. Wiring that relies on electrical signals to
convey content through the last mile, such as standard category 5,
5e, and 6 cables ("Ethernet cables") used in traditional Ethernet
applications, can be susceptible to noise or interference that
results in signal degradation. Such noise or interference is
generally non-periodic, cross-coupled "spiky" or "transient"
interference (hereinafter collectively referred to as
"transients"). Transients can be caused by using certain twisted
pairs within the Ethernet cables for traditional telephony signals,
which signals are inductively coupled to and consequently cause
transients in the twisted pairs used for Ethernet signals.
Transients are also caused by running the category 5/5e/6 cable in
close proximity to alternating current ("AC") power lines within
the house or apartment building, which lines are also inductively
coupled to and consequently cause transients in the Ethernet
cables. In either case, the result of such transients is that the
common-mode rejection benefits associated with Ethernet cables that
result from their shielding and use of differential signalling are
overwhelmed by the transients, and the transmission of Ethernet
signals is noticeably impeded.
[0005] In order to compensate for transients, telecommunication
companies are forced to install multiple, shielded runs of cable
within a building using multiple conduits spaced significantly from
cables carrying AC power or traditional telephony signals, which
dramatically increases installation costs. An additional drawback
to this method of installation is that not all Ethernet jacks
available to the consumer within the building will be capable of
supplying a high QOS network connection, and consequently a builder
or contractor has to pre-select which Ethernet jacks within the
building are going to be connected to cables that are capable of
providing a consistently high QOS network connection, and which
Ethernet jacks are not. Thus, in addition to increasing
installation complexity and costs, this method of installation can
result in a system that is cumbersome for the consumer to use.
[0006] Consequently, there exists a need for a system and apparatus
that can provide a network connection with a high QOS to a consumer
that improves on at least one of the above-noted deficiencies of
the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is
provided a media converter. The media converter includes an
electro-optical transceiver configured to convert an optical signal
into an electrical signal and vice-versa, the electro-optical
transceiver having an optical signal port connectable to a plastic
optical fiber, the optical signal port for sending and receiving
the optical signal along the plastic optical fiber; and an
electrical signal port for sending and receiving the electrical
signal. The media converter also includes a plurality of means for
electrically conveying the electrical signal; a switch in
electrical communication with the electrical signal port of the
electro-optical transceiver and with the plurality of means for
electrically conveying the electrical signal, the switch configured
to direct the electrical signal from the electro-optical
transceiver to any one of the means for electrically conveying the
electrical signal and vice-versa, thereby facilitating
bi-directional communication; a telephonic network access port
connectable to a telephone cable, the telephone cable comprising a
pair of power carrying wires for carrying electrical power; a power
supply in electrical communication with the switch and the
electro-optical transceiver; and power supply wiring electrically
coupled to the telephonic network access port and to the power
supply for powering the media converter by transmitting power from
the power carrying wires to the power supply when the telephone
cable is coupled to the network access port.
[0008] The telephone cable can have a pair of data carrying wires
for transmitting telephonic data; and the media converter may
further include a telephone jack; and data wiring electrically
coupling the telephone jack to the pair of data carrying wires when
the telephone cable is coupled to the network access port, thereby
facilitating telephonic communication.
[0009] The media converter may further include a feedthrough
transceiver configured to convert a second optical signal into a
second electrical signal and vice-versa, the feedthrough
transceiver having an optical signal port connectable to a second
plastic optical fiber, the optical signal port for sending and
receiving the second optical signal along the second plastic
optical fiber; and an electrical signal port for sending and
receiving the second electrical signal. The switch can be in
electrical communication with the electrical signal port of the
feedthrough transceiver and is further configured to direct the
electrical signal from the electrical signal port of the
electro-optical transceiver to the electrical signal port of the
feedthrough transceiver, thereby facilitating daisy-chaining of
media converters via the feedthrough transceiver.
[0010] The means for electrically conveying the electrical signal
may be a wireless connectivity module in electrical communication
with the switch; and an antenna in electrical communication with
the wireless connectivity module.
[0011] The means for electrically conveying the electrical signal
may also be a network jack in electrical communication with the
switch and configured to be electrically coupled to a cable for
conveying the electrical signal.
[0012] According to a further aspect of the invention, there is
provided a media converter having a housing and having a networking
circuitry printed circuit board and a power circuitry printed
circuit board inside the housing. The networking circuitry printed
circuit board and the power circuitry printed circuit board are
stacked on each other within the housing. The networking circuitry
printed circuit board has mounted thereon an electro-optical
transceiver and configured to convert an optical signal into an
electrical signal and vice-versa, the electro-optical transceiver
having an optical signal port protruding through the housing and
connectable to a plastic optical fiber, the optical signal port for
sending and receiving the optical signal along the plastic optical
fiber; and an electrical signal port contained within the compact
housing for sending and receiving the electrical signal. The
networking circuitry printed circuit board also has mounted thereon
a plurality of means for electrically conveying the electrical
signal; and a switch in electrical communication with the
electrical signal port of the electro-optical transceiver and with
the plurality of means for electrically conveying the electrical
signal, the switch configured to direct the electrical signal from
the electro-optical transceiver to any one of the means for
electrically conveying the electrical signal and vice-versa,
thereby facilitating bi-directional communication. The power
circuitry printed circuit board has mounted thereon a power supply
in electrical communication with the switch and the electro-optical
transceiver.
[0013] The media converter may also include an electrical plug in
electrical communication with the power supply and for insertion
into a power outlet, the electrical plug protruding from the
housing such that when the electrical plug is inserted into the
power outlet, the housing is pressed flush against the power
outlet.
[0014] Alternatively, the media converter may include electrical
contacts in electrical communication with the power supply and
disposed on the housing. The housing may have a height of about 2.7
inches, a width of about 3.8 inches and a depth of about 1.6 inches
and the media converter may also include a power outlet disposed on
a faceplate of the housing and in electrical communication with the
electrical contacts.
[0015] The networking circuitry printed circuit board can also have
mounted thereon a feedthrough transceiver configured to convert a
second optical signal into a second electrical signal and
vice-versa, the feedthrough transceiver having an optical signal
port protruding through the housing and connectable to a second
plastic optical fiber, the optical signal port for sending and
receiving the second optical signal along the second plastic
optical fiber; and an electrical signal port for sending and
receiving the second electrical signal. The power supply of the
media converter is in electrical communication with the feedthrough
transceiver; and the switch is in electrical communication with the
electrical signal port of the feedthrough transceiver and is
further configured to direct the electrical signal from the
electrical signal port of the electro-optical transceiver to the
electrical signal port of the feedthrough transceiver, thereby
facilitating daisy-chaining of media converters via the feedthrough
transceiver.
[0016] The means for electrically conveying the electrical signal
may be a wireless connectivity module in electrical communication
with the switch; and an antenna in electrical communication with
the wireless connectivity module; and the power supply is in
electrical communication with the wireless connectivity module.
[0017] Alternatively, the means for electrically conveying the
electrical signal comprises a network jack in electrical
communication with the switch and configured to be electrically
coupled to a cable for conveying the electrical signal.
[0018] According to a further aspect of the invention, there is
provided a system for facilitating bi-directional communication
between a media converter and a packet-switched network. The system
includes a network hub, which includes a network communication port
in communication with the packet-switched network; a plurality of
network hub electro-optical transceivers configured to convert an
optical signal into an electrical signal and vice-versa, each
network hub electro-optical transceiver having: an optical signal
port connectable to a plastic optical fiber, the optical signal
port for sending and receiving the optical signal along the plastic
optical fiber and an electrical signal port for sending and
receiving the electrical signal; and a network hub switch in
electrical communication with the network communication port and in
electrical communication with the electric signal ports of the
plurality of network hub switch electro-optical transceivers, the
network hub switch configured to direct the electrical signal from
the network communication port to any one of the network hub
electro-optical transceivers and vice-versa, thereby facilitating
bi-directional communication. The system further includes a media
converter according to any of the above aspects, and plastic
optical fiber optically coupled at one end to the media converter
and at another end to the network hub.
[0019] According to a further aspect of the invention, there is
provided a system for facilitating bi-directional communication
between a media converter and packet-switched and telephonic
networks. The system includes a network hub, including a network
communication port in communication with the packet-switched
network; a plurality of network hub electro-optical transceivers
configured to convert an optical signal into an electrical signal
and vice-versa, each network hub electro-optical transceiver having
an optical signal port connectable to a plastic optical fiber, the
optical signal port for sending and receiving the optical signal
along the plastic optical fiber and an electrical signal port for
sending and receiving the electrical signal; and a network hub
switch in electrical communication with the network communication
port and in electrical communication with the electric signal ports
of the plurality of network hub switch electro-optical
transceivers, the network hub switch configured to direct the
electrical signal from the network communication port to any one of
the network hub electro-optical transceivers and vice-versa,
thereby facilitating bi-directional communication. The system also
includes a telephonic hub for sending and receiving electrical
signals to and from the telephonic network; a media converter
according to any aspects of the invention including a telephonic
network access port; plastic optical fiber optically coupled at one
end to the media converter and at another end to the network hub;
and telephone cable electrically coupled at one end to the media
converter and at another end to the telephonic hub.
[0020] One benefit of the invention is that the optical signals
used to transmit network communications are inherently immune to
interference from transients. Consequently, the media converters
can be placed adjacent to sources of transient interference, and
any plastic optical fiber present can be laid adjacent to sources
of transient interference, without concern that transients will
interfere with the optical signal carried along the plastic optical
fiber. Consequently, it is much easier to lay plastic optical fiber
for carrying network signals between the media converter and the
network hub in conjunction with the present invention than it is to
lay properly shielded electrical cables for the same purpose.
[0021] A further benefit of the invention is that POF is a much
easier medium to handle than glass optical fiber, which can easily
shatter and splinter into an installer's hand. Consequently,
installing the POF that is used in conjunction with the invention
can be done easily by a person not skilled in laying glass optical
fiber, such as a low voltage telecommunications technician, thereby
reducing the cost of the installation process.
[0022] A further benefit of the aspects of the invention configured
to interface with a telephonic hub is that power can be drawn via
the telephonic hub as opposed to from the alternating current (AC)
power mains of a building. Consequently, a low voltage
telecommunications technician can wire the power lines for the
media converters as opposed to an electrician, thereby reducing
installation costs.
[0023] A further benefit of the aspects of the invention having a
power circuitry printed circuit board and a networking circuitry
printed circuit board is that by separating the circuitry on to two
printed circuit boards, a design that efficiently uses space is
achieved, and the two printed circuit boards can be fitted within a
compact housing, such as a standard gangbox.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary
embodiments of the present invention:
[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic of a system capable of providing a
high QOS network connection to a consumer, according to one
embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an 8-port POF switch that
composes part of the system of FIG. 1.
[0027] FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are perspective views of the 8-port POF
switch as depicted in FIG. 2.
[0028] FIGS. 3(c) and 3(d) are perspective views of an 8-port POF
switch capable of wireless connectivity, according to a further
embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a POF terminator having four
RJ-45 jacks that composes part of the system depicted in FIG.
1.
[0030] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a POF terminator having two
RJ-45 jacks that composes part of the system depicted in FIG.
1.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a POF terminator having two
RJ-45 jacks with wireless capability that composes part of the
system depicted in FIG. 1.
[0032] FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) are perspective views of the terminator
as depicted in FIG. 4.
[0033] FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b) are perspective views of the terminator
as depicted in FIG. 5.
[0034] FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) are perspective views of the POF
terminator with wireless capability as depicted in FIG. 6.
[0035] FIG. 10 is a schematic of a system capable of providing a
high QOS network connection to a consumer according to a further
embodiment wherein the POF terminators used in the system also
allow a consumer to access a telephonic network.
[0036] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a POF terminator having four
RJ-45 jacks and two telephone jacks, and composing part of the
system as depicted in FIG. 10.
[0037] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a POF terminator having two
RJ-45 jacks and two telephone jacks, and composing part of the
system as depicted in FIG. 10.
[0038] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a POF terminator having two
RJ-45 jacks, wireless capability, and two telephone jacks, and
which composes part of the system as depicted in FIG. 10.
[0039] FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b) are perspective views of the
terminator as depicted in FIG. 11.
[0040] FIGS. 15(a) and 15(b) are perspective views of the
terminator as depicted in FIG. 12.
[0041] FIGS. 16(a) and 16(b) are perspective views of the
terminator as depicted in FIG. 13.
[0042] FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a POF terminator having four
RJ-45 jacks according to a further embodiment wherein the
terminator is contained within an alternative housing having an
electrical plug for drawing power from an AC outlet.
[0043] FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a POF terminator having two
RJ-45 jacks and wireless capability according to a further
embodiment wherein the terminator is contained within an
alternative housing having an electrical plug for drawing power
from an AC outlet.
[0044] FIGS. 19(a) and 19(b) are perspective views of the
terminator as depicted in FIG. 17.
[0045] FIGS. 20(a) and 20(b) are perspective views of the
terminator as depicted in FIG. 18.
[0046] FIGS. 21(a) and 21(b) are perspective views of a terminator
having four RJ-45 jacks mounted within a housing adjacent to AC
power outlets.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0047] In order for a consumer to access data on a packet-switched
network, the consumer must establish a connection with the network.
Such a connection often takes the form of a cable or digital
subscriber line modem that acts as a bridge between the
packet-switched network, which is typically a wide area network
("WAN") such as the Internet, and a consumer's own local area
network ("LAN"). Often, this connection only uses electrical
signals to communicate between the WAN and consumer devices the
consumer has coupled to the LAN. One problem associated with
communication using electrical signals is that they are inherently
susceptible to interference caused by transients, which can make it
difficult for the consumer to obtain a network connection that has
a high QOS.
[0048] Using glass optical fiber to convey content overcomes the
problems caused by transients, but the equipment designed for use
with glass optical fiber is generally designed for server-side
industrial networking applications and is prohibitively expensive
for residential and many typical commercial applications.
Furthermore, glass optical fiber is a very difficult medium with
which to work, further increasing installation costs.
[0049] Additionally, within almost all buildings exist traditional
voice telephony systems wired using telephone cable such as
category 3 cable that allow the consumer to access a telephonic
network. Such telephone systems typically terminate in telephone
jack such as a RJ-11 (6P4C) jack that is housed within a wall, into
which a consumer can plug a conventional telephone. As such RJ-11
(6P4C) jacks are well known to telecommunications utilities and
their technicians, it would be advantageous if a system for
providing a network connection with a high QOS could be implemented
in conjunction with existing voice telephony technology. Such a
system for providing a high QOS network connection would be easier
for a telecommunications utility to implement than a standalone
system, as the system would utilize, at least in part, technology
with which the telecommunications utility is already familiar.
[0050] All of the exemplary embodiments described herein utilize
optical signals transmitted over POF to facilitate network
communications, thereby greatly mitigating the effect of transients
on data communications. Furthermore, some of the exemplary
embodiments described herein allow power to be drawn from the
telephonic network in order to power a media converter that is used
to provide a high QOS network connection to the consumer.
[0051] Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 10, there are depicted
systems 10, 200 for facilitating bi-directional communication
between a media converter and a packet-switched network. The
systems 10, 200 use POF 14 to deliver network content to the
consumer. In the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 10, the systems 10, 200
have media converters in the form of POF terminators 15-20, 90-92
(terminators 15 and 20 not illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 10) that
allow the consumer to access a packet-switched network in the form
of a WAN 24, such as an ADSL Internet connection, using means for
electrically conveying electrical signals, such as one or both of a
typical Ethernet cable or a wireless connection. The POF
terminators 90-92 in the system 200 as depicted in FIG. 10 also
allow the consumer to access a traditional telephonic network via
telephone jacks 116 present in the terminators 90-92. As described
in further detail below, such an embodiment allows the existing
telephonic networks present in many buildings, such as residences
and businesses, to be utilized and leveraged in connection with the
WAN 24 in order to provide both traditional telephony services and
WAN access to consumers.
Exemplary Embodiments Without Telephony Support
[0052] Referring now to FIG. 1, the system 10 is depicted as
including a modem 22, such as a 2-wire Gateway 2700HG-E ADSL
modem/router, that bridges the connection between the WAN 24 and
the LAN, such as the 100BaseTX/1000BaseT/1000BaseX Ethernet used in
this exemplary embodiment. The Ethernet connection from the modem
22 is then coupled to a network hub, which in this embodiment is an
8-port POF switch 12 (a 100BaseFX switch), which is discussed in
more detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, below. Instead of
connecting an ADSL Internet connection to the modem 22, a privately
held network's 10/100/1000 Base-T Ethernet connection, such as
those used by cable companies to deliver IPTV, can be connected
directly to the 8-port POF switch 12. For installations in a
multi-dwelling unit ("MDU") such as an apartment complex, for
example, both the modem 22 and 8-port POF switch 12 are typically
housed in a utility space to which multiple services (e.g.: cable,
telephone) are directed before being routed throughout the MDU to
individual units/residences. In the system 10, the 8-port POF
switch 12 is coupled to the 100BaseTX/1000BaseT/1000BaseX
electrical Ethernet on its upstream end and to up to eight ports
transmitting 100BaseFX Ethernet transmitted over POF 14 on its
downstream end. In this application, notwithstanding that the
network 10 is bi-directional, "upstream" refers to points in the
network nearer to the WAN 24, while "downstream" refers to points
in the network nearer to the LAN. The POF 14 can be any suitable
POF as is known to persons skilled in the art, such as Mitsubishi
International Corporation's ESKA.TM. 2.2 mm POF. While the POF 14
in FIG. 1 is depicted schematically as one strand of POF, each
optical port of the 8-port POF switch 12 is coupled to two strands
of POF, one for transmitting and one for receiving data, consistent
with the 100BaseFX standard.
[0053] The POF 14 is wired through a consumer's residence or
commercial building, for example. By using the POF 14 for wiring,
the problem of transients affecting the data transmitted on
electrical Ethernet cables, such as standard category 5, 5e, or 6
cables, is eliminated. This is because transients inherently affect
only electrical signals, and the signal transmitted along the POF
14 is optical. With transients eliminated, signal interference
decreases and a high QOS can be ensured. Consequently, when the POF
14 is being laid in a building, extra care does not have to be
taken to separately install shielded conduits that house Ethernet
cables, which results in a simpler installation and cost savings.
Furthermore, the POF 14 can be easily installed by an electrician
or by a low-voltage telecommunications technician, as the POF 14 is
a resilient, easy-to-handle medium that can be safely cut using
means such as an X-acto.TM. knife. This is in contrast to glass
optical fiber, which easily shatters, and which therefore cannot be
installed at low cost by an electrician or by a low-voltage
telecommunications technician.
[0054] Each of the POF 14 pairs terminates in one of the
terminators 16-19, each of which converts the optical Ethernet
signal back into an electrical Ethernet signal for use by a
consumer device 21 such as a computer or television. The
terminators 16-19 are discussed in more detail with reference to
FIGS. 4-9, below.
[0055] As transients are not an issue with the POF 14 used in the
network 10, the POF 14 can be laid adjacent to standard electrical
wiring. Consequently, and as discussed in more detail with respect
to FIGS. 7-9, below, each of the terminators 17,-19 can be
contained within a housing 88 that can unobtrusively be fitted
within the walls of a building. Using the housings 88 to enclose
the terminators 17-19 has the benefit that convenient access to the
system 10 can be provided in a relatively inconspicuous manner by
routing the POF 14 within a wall where it is hidden from view, by
terminating the POF 14 within the terminators 17-19 and by then
allowing the consumer to easily access the system 10 via a wired
(in the case of the terminators 17-19) or wireless (in the case of
the terminator 19) connection. According to an alternative
embodiment, and as discussed in more detail with reference to FIGS.
17 and 18 below, the terminator 16 and an additional embodiment of
a POF terminator 15 (not depicted in FIG. 1) can each be contained
within an alternative housing 64 that has an electrical plug for
insertion into an AC power outlet.
[0056] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is depicted a block diagram
of the 8-port POF switch 12 that acts as the network hub. On the
upstream side there is an electrical 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T
Ethernet uplink via a network communication port in communication
with the packet-switched network, the WAN 24. In this embodiment,
the network communication port is an RJ-45 jack 32. Also on the
upstream side is an optional 1000BaseX fiber uplink via a 1000BaseX
POF transceiver 36. A typical RJ-45 jack 32 used is a Pulse
Magnetics JK0654219 jack; an exemplary 1000BaseX POF transceiver 36
used is the Firecomms.TM. EDL1000G-510 transceiver. Directly
coupled to the RJ-45 jack 32 is a 10/100/1000BaseT Ethernet PHY
chip 34, such as the Marvell.TM. 88E1111, used for Ethernet
transmissions. Both the RJ-45 jack 32 and the POF transceiver 36
are in electrical communication with and transmit electrical
signals to a network hub switch, which in this embodiment is an
11-port Ethernet integrated switch 38. The 11-port Ethernet
integrated switch 38 may, for example, be a Marvell.TM. 88E6097.
The 11-port Ethernet integrated switch 38 electrically couples the
upstream RJ-45 jack 32 and POF transceiver 36 to network hub
electro-optical transceivers, which in this embodiment are eight
100 Base FX POF transceivers 40, and to another RJ-45 jack 44
downstream. Each of the eight POF transceivers 40 may be, for
example, a Firecomms.TM. EDL300T transceiver. Each of the eight POF
transceivers 40 has an optical signal port connectable to the POF
14 and an electrical signal port connectable to the 11-port
Ethernet integrated switch 38. The 11-port Ethernet integrated
switch 38 is configured to direct the electrical signal from the
RJ-45 jack 32 to any of the eight POF transceivers 40 and
vice-versa, thereby facilitating bi-directional communication. Each
of the eight POF transceivers 40 outputs 100Base-FX Ethernet on to
pairs of the POF 14, and the downstream RJ-45 jack 44 is coupled to
the 11-port Ethernet integrated switch 38 via a PHY chip 42 and
outputs electrical 10/100/1000 Base-T Ethernet signals. The 11-port
Ethernet integrated switch 38 can interface with the PHY chips 34,
42 using any appropriate interface, such as the SGMII, GMII, RGMII,
or MII interfaces. No separate PHY chips are required between the
11-port Ethernet integrated switch 38 and the POF transceivers 36,
40, as the 11-port Ethernet integrated switch 38 has integrated
PHY-level drives (not shown) for directly driving the POF 14 or
other fiber devices. Power, clock, and debug circuitry 46 is also
present. Power is obtained from an AC adapter 98.
[0057] Notably, although in this exemplary embodiment the 8-port
POF switch 12 is configured such that it couples upstream signals
from the WAN 24 to the POF 14 via the RJ-45 jack 32, the 8-port POF
switch 12 can also be alternatively configured. For example, the
8-port POF switch 12 can be set to transmit signals between either
the RJ-45 jack 32 or any of the eight POF transceivers 40 to the
POF transceiver 36.
[0058] FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are perspective views of the 8-port POF
switch 12. Visible are the eight POF transceivers 40 and the two
RJ-45 jacks 32, 44.
[0059] FIGS. 3(c) and 3(d) are perspective views of the 8-port POF
switch 12 wherein in lieu of the POF transceiver 36, an external
antenna 140 provides the 8-port POF switch 12 with wireless
connectivity. The external antenna 140 is coupled internally to a
wireless connectivity module (not shown in FIG. 2 or 3), such as a
Broadcom BCM5352 chip-set or an Aethos AR5002AP-2X chip-set, which
is then coupled to the 11-port integrated Ethernet switch 38. The
wireless connectivity can be used to wirelessly couple the modem 22
to the 8-port POF switch 12.
[0060] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is depicted a block diagram
of the terminator 17. The terminator 17 has as an upstream
connector an electro-optical transceiver in the form of a 100 Base
FX POF Transceiver 52, such as a Firecomms.TM. EDL300T transceiver.
The POF transceiver 52 connects to the POF 14 via an optical signal
port, thereby coupling the terminator 17 to the 8-port POF switch
12. The POF transceiver 52 is in electrical communication with a
6-port Ethernet switch 56 with fiber support via an electrical
signal port. The 6-port Ethernet switch 56 may be a Marvell.TM.
88E6061, and electrically couples the POF transceiver 52 to means
for electrically conveying an electrical signal, which in this case
is a network jack in the form of any of four RJ-45 jacks 60 which
are configured to be electrically coupled to Ethernet cables (not
shown) for supplying a network connection to consumer devices 21.
As the terminator 17 has four RJ-45 jacks 60, the terminator 17 is
a "four-port terminator". The 6-port Ethernet switch 56 is
configured to direct the electrical signal from the POF transceiver
52 to any of the four RJ-45 jacks 60 and vice-versa, thereby
facilitating bi-directional communication. The 6-port Ethernet
switch 56 used in this exemplary embodiment has four integrated
Fast Ethernet transceivers (not shown) that allow the four RJ-45
jacks 60 to be directly coupled to the switch 56; consequently, no
external transceiver (such as the PHY chips 34, 42) must be coupled
between the 6-port Ethernet switch 56 and any of the RJ-45 jacks
60. A power supply 62 in electrical communication with the 6-port
Ethernet switch 56 and the POF transceiver 52 and that obtains
power from an AC power supply is present, as are clock and debug
circuitry (not shown).
[0061] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is depicted a block diagram
of the terminator 18. As with the terminator 17, the terminator 18
has as an upstream connector an electro-optical transceiver in the
form of a 100 Base FX POF Transceiver 52 connectable to POF 14 via
an optical signal port and electrically coupled to a 6-port
Ethernet switch 56 with fiber support via an electrical signal
port. Any suitable interface may be used to electrically couple the
POF transceiver 52 to the 6-port Ethernet switch 56, such as the
SGMII, GMII, RGMII, or MII interfaces. The terminator 18 also has a
second 100 Base FX POF Transceiver 150 (the "feedthrough
transceiver") that can be used to daisy-chain the terminator 18 to
the other terminators 15-19, 90-92. The feedthrough transceiver 150
is connectable to POF 14 via an optical signal port and is
connectable to the 6-port Ethernet switch 56 via an electrical
signal port. The 6-port Ethernet switch is configured to direct the
electrical signal from the POF transceiver 52 to the feedthrough
transceiver 150, thereby facilitating daisy-chaining of media
converters. This allows these other terminators 15-19, 90-92 to
receive an optical signal via the feedthrough transceiver as
opposed to directly from the 8-port POF switch 12. Such
functionality is beneficial as it allows the ports on the 8-port
POF switch 12 to be conserved. The 6-port Ethernet switch 56 is
directly electrically coupled to means for electrically conveying
an electrical signal, which in this case is a network jack in the
form of any of two RJ-45 jacks 60; consequently, the terminator 18
is a "two-port" terminator. As with the terminator 17, the power
supply 62 that obtains power from an AC supply is present, as is
clock and debug circuitry (not shown).
[0062] Referring now to FIG. 6, there is depicted a block diagram
of the terminator 19, which supports wireless connectivity. The
terminator 19 is the same as the terminator 18, with the exception
that the terminator 19 has, in place of the feedthrough
transceiver, means for electrically conveying an electrical signal,
which in this case is a wireless connectivity module in electrical
communication with the 6-port Ethernet switch 56 and an external
antenna 102 in electrical communication with the wireless
connectivity module. The depicted wireless connectivity module is a
Wi-Fi.TM. 802.11b/g module 100 such as a Broadcom BCM5352 chip-set
or an Aethos AR5002AP-2X chip-set. The external antenna 102
protrudes from the terminator 19 and facilitates wireless
communication with the consumer device 21.
[0063] FIGS. 7-9 show the terminators 17-19 mounted within the
housing 88 that can be conveniently fitted within a wall, thereby
allowing easy and ubiquitous access to a high QOS network
connection. The housing 88 is in connection with the POF
transceiver 52, the feedthrough transceiver 150 (for the terminator
18), and the RJ-45 jacks 60, and the 6-port Ethernet switch 56 is
contained within the housing 88. Because the optical signal is not
affected by transients, the terminators 17-19 can be placed
adjacent to the sources of transients, such as AC power lines,
without signal degradation resulting. The terminators 17-19 are
typically mounted within a wall and are powered directly from
standard 14-AWG 3-wire AC power mains (not shown) available in the
residence, which can be directly coupled to electrical contacts 89
disposed on the housing 88 and in electrical communication with the
power supply 62, thereby powering the terminators 17-19. The POF
transceivers 52 of the terminators 17-19 can receive the POF 14
from the 8-port POF switch 12 or can receive the POF 14 that is
daisy-chained via the feedthrough transceiver 150 of the terminator
18. This POF 14 can be routed under the baseboards or through the
walls of a residence, for example, to reduce any detrimental
aesthetic or functional effect on the residence. Benefits of
mounting the terminators 17-19 within the housings 88 include ease
of installation, as telecommunications technicians, electricians
and consumers can easily terminate the POF into a convenient
receptacle, and convenience of use, as the housings 88 can be
located in several places in a typical home, and consequently can
provide for easy and ubiquitous network access. Furthermore, in
contrast to current high QOS network installations that rely on
multiple runs of Ethernet cables, all network connections provided
by this exemplary embodiment are capable of providing a high QOS
network connection. The consumer can plug a device, such as a
television or a computer, into any of the RJ-45 jacks 60 and access
a network with a high QOS sufficient for IPTV, for example, as
opposed to having to select a specific network jack that is coupled
to Ethernet cabling that is sufficiently protected from transients
to provide a high QOS connection.
[0064] FIGS. 17-21 illustrate an embodiment of a terminator 16
mounted within the alternative housing 64 that can be inserted into
a typical AC power outlet (not shown) using an electrical plug in
the form of a 3-prong plug 65 that protrudes from the alternative
housing 64 (FIGS. 17, 19(a) and 19(b)) and a terminator 15 with
wireless support mounted within the alternative housing 64 such
that it can also be plugged into a typical AC power outlet (not
shown) using an electrical plug in the form of the 3-prong plug 65
(FIGS. 18, 21(a) and 21(b)), thereby providing easy and ubiquitous
access to a high QOS network connection. The alternative housing 64
is in connection with the POF transceiver 52, the feedthrough
transceiver 150, and the RJ-45 jacks 60, and the 6-port Ethernet
switch 56 is contained within the alternative housing 64.
[0065] Referring now to FIG. 17, there is depicted a block diagram
of the terminator 16 having as upstream connectors electro-optical
transceivers in the form of 100 Base FX POF Transceivers 150, 52,
which correspond in type and functionality to the feedthrough
transceiver 150 and the POF transceiver 52 used in the terminator
17 as depicted in FIG. 4. The feedthrough transceiver 150 and the
POF transceiver 52 can each receive an optical signal directly from
the 8-port POF switch 12 or a signal that has been daisy-chained
from the other terminators, and can also be used to daisy-chain the
optical signal to the other terminators. Electrically coupled to
the feedthrough transceiver 150 and the POF transceiver 52 is the
6-port Ethernet switch 56, which in turn is coupled to means for
electrically conveying an electrical signal. In this case the means
for electrically conveying an electrical signal is a network jack
in the form of any of two, 2-port RJ-45 jacks 60. The 6-port
Ethernet switch 56 and the RJ-45 jacks 60 are identical in type and
functionality to those used in the terminator 17, with the
exception that the jacks 60 are divided into two groups of two,
instead of being one contiguous group of four. Interposed between
the 6-port Ethernet switch 56 and one of the RJ-45 jacks 60 is a
Fast Ethernet transceiver 186, such as a Marvell.TM. 88E3015
transceiver. The power supply 62 that obtains power from an AC
outlet is present, as is clock and debug circuitry (not shown).
[0066] Referring now to FIG. 18, there is depicted a block diagram
of the terminator 15, which has wireless capability. The terminator
15 is the same as the terminator 16, with the exception that the
terminator 15 has in place of two of the RJ-45 jacks 60 alternative
means for electrically conveying an electrical signal, which in
this case is the wireless connectivity module in electrical
communication with the external antenna 102 that protrudes from the
terminator 19 and that facilitates wireless communication with the
consumer device 21. The depicted wireless connectivity module is a
Wi-Fi.TM. 802.11b/g module 100 such as a Broadcom BCM5352 chip-set
or an Aethos AR5002AP-2X chip-set.
[0067] Referring now to FIGS. 19 and 20, there are depicted
perspective views of the terminators 15, 16. Because the optical
signal is not affected by transients, the terminators 15, 16 can be
placed adjacent to the electrical circuitry present in AC outlets
without suffering signal degradation. The feedthrough transceiver
150, the POF transceiver 52 of the terminators 15, 16 are in
connection with the alternative housing 64, can receive the POF 14
daisy-chained from other terminators or directly from the 8-port
POF switch 12, and can be used to daisy-chain an optical signal to
other terminators. The RJ-45 jacks 60 are also in connection with
the alternative housing 64. Such POF 14 can be routed under the
baseboards of a residence, for example, to reduce any detrimental
aesthetic or functional effect on the residence. Benefits of
mounting the terminators 15, 16 on AC power outlets include ease of
installation, as consumers can easily install the terminators 15,
16 by themselves, and convenience of use, as AC outlets are located
in several places in a typical home, and consequently can allow for
ubiquitous network access. Furthermore, in contrast to current high
QOS network installations that rely on multiple runs of Ethernet
cables, all network connections provided by this exemplary
embodiment are capable of providing a high QOS network connection.
A consumer can couple the consumer device 21, such as a television
or a computer, into any of the jacks 60 of the terminators 15, 16
and access a network with a high QOS sufficient for IPTV, for
example, as opposed to having to select a specific network jack
that is coupled to Ethernet cabling that is sufficiently protected
from transients to provide a high QOS connection.
[0068] As transients do not affect optical signals, a terminator 20
as depicted in FIGS. 21(a) and (b) is also possible. The block
diagram of the terminator 20 is the same as that of the terminator
17 in FIG. 4, with the exception that the means for electrically
conveying an electrical signal is in this case is a network jack in
the form of two RJ-45 jacks 60 instead of four RJ-45 jacks 60. The
terminator 20 is contained within a standard AC gangbox 89 covered
by a faceplate 86. Power outlets are disposed on the faceplate 86
of the gangbox 89 and the power outlets are in electrical
communication with the alternating current power mains within a
building. In this exemplary embodiment, the gangbox 89 of the
transceiver 20 used is a set of Hubbell 2002R (dual) boxes. Such a
gangbox 89 has a width of about 3.8 inches; a depth of about 1.6
inches; and a height of about 2.7 inches.
[0069] Exemplary Embodiments Having Telephony Support
[0070] Referring now to FIG. 10, there is depicted a system 200 for
facilitating bi-directional communication between a media converter
and packet-switched and telephonic networks. The system 200 uses
the POF 14 to deliver packet-switched content to the consumers, and
uses telephone cables to deliver content from the telephonic
network to the consumers. Similar to the embodiment of the system
10 depicted in FIG. 1, the system 200 of FIG. 10 uses the modem 22
to bridge the WAN 24 and LAN. In this embodiment, the modem 22
outputs Ethernet signals, which are then coupled to the 8-port POF
switch 12, to the POF 14, and eventually to terminators 90-92 that
allow the consumer to access network content.
[0071] In contrast to the system 10 depicted in FIG. 1, however,
and as discussed in greater detail below, the terminators 90-92 all
have telephone jacks 116 (not labelled in FIG. 10) that allow the
consumer to access the telephonic network using the terminators
90-92. Such functionality is achieved by connecting the terminators
90-92 to a telephonic hub for sending and receiving signals to and
from the telephonic network. In this embodiment the telephonic hub
is a D-Mark Panel 94. The terminators 90-92 are also in optical
communication with the 8-port POF switch 12, as they are in the
system 10. The D-Mark Panel 94 represents the point at which the
telephonic network owned by a telecommunications utility ends, and
residential telephony wiring begins. In this sense, the
functionality of the D-Mark Panel 94 is analogous to that of the
modem 22, in that both the D-Mark Panel 94 and the modem 22 bridge
an outside network or system (the telephonic network and the WAN
24, respectively) with a residential network or system (the
residential telephony wiring and the LAN, respectively).
[0072] Referring now to FIG. 11, there is depicted a block diagram
of the terminator 92 with telephony support. The terminator 92 has
an electro-optical transceiver in the form of a 100 Base FX POF
Transceiver 52 that corresponds in type and functionality to the
POF transceiver 52 of the terminator 17. Similarly, the 6-port
Ethernet switch 56 and the means for electrically conveying an
electrical signal, which in this case is a network jack in the form
of any of four RJ-45 jacks 60, correspond in type and functionality
to those of the terminator 17. In contrast to the terminator 17,
however, the terminator 92 with telephony support also has a
telephonic network access port in the form of a D-Mark header 108
electrically coupled to a power supply contained within the
terminator 92, which in this embodiment is a 48V DC switching power
supply 118, and to a 2-port RJ-11(6P4C) modular telephone jack 116.
Power supply wiring, labelled "Line 3" in FIG. 11, electrically
couples the D-Mark header 108 to the power supply 118. Data wiring,
labelled "Line 1" and "Line 2" in FIG. 11, electrically couple each
port of the telephone jack 116 to the D-Mark header 108.
[0073] Fed into the D-Mark header 108 are pairs of wire from a
telephone cable. The telephone cable is typically category 3 cable
that makes up residential telephony wiring, each category 3 cable
having three twisted pairs of wire. One twisted pair of wire
("power carrying wires") is used to supply the terminator 92 with
electric power. In FIG. 11, the power carrying wires are
electrically coupled to the power supply wiring (labelled "Line 3")
when the telephone cable is coupled to the D-Mark header 108, thus
providing 48V DC electric power to the terminator 92 by supplying
DC power to the power supply 118. Power to the terminator 92 is
drawn from a power adapter, which in this embodiment is a 48V DC
power adapter 31 (present in FIG. 10). This power adapter 31 can be
co-located with the 8-port POF switch 12 and is typically housed in
a utility space in a building.
[0074] The power adapter 31 connects to the power carrying wires
within the category 3 telephone cable to provide power to the
terminator 92 when the category 3 telephone cable is coupled to the
D-Mark header 105. In FIG. 11, data wiring (labelled "Line 1" and
"Line 2") is coupled to the 2-port RJ-11 (6P4C) telephone jack 116,
with the consumer being able to plug a telephone into each of the
ports of the RJ-11 (6P4C) telephone jack 116 via a standard RJ-11
plug. Line 1 of the data wiring is coupled to one twisted pair of
data carrying wires within the category 3 telephone cable, and Line
2 of the data wiring is coupled to another twisted pair of data
carrying wires within the category 3 telephone cable.
[0075] Referring now to FIG. 12, there is depicted a block diagram
of the terminator 91 with telephony support. The terminator 91 has
electro-optical transceivers in the form of the feedthrough
transceiver 150 and the 100 Base FX POF Transceivers 52 that
corresponds in type and functionality to the feedthrough
transceiver 150 and the POF transceiver 152 of the terminator 18
without telephony support. Consequently, the feedthrough
transceiver 150 can facilitate daisy-chaining of the terminators
90-92 just as the transceiver 150 in the terminator 18 can be used
to enable daisy-chaining. The terminator 91 also has only two RJ-45
jacks 60 instead of the four RJ-45 jacks the terminator 90 has. The
terminators 91, 92 are otherwise alike.
[0076] Referring now to FIG. 13, there is depicted a block diagram
of the terminator 90 with telephony support that also supports
wireless connectivity. The terminator 90 is the same as the
terminator 91, with the exception that the terminator 90 lacks a
feedthrough transceiver and, in its place, has means for
electrically conveying an electrical signal, in the form of the
wireless connectivity module in electrical communication with the
external antenna 102 that protrudes from the terminator 19 and that
facilitates wireless communication with the consumer device 21. The
depicted wireless connectivity module is the Wi-Fi.TM. 802.11b/g
module 100 such as a Broadcom BCM5352 chip-set or an Aethos
AR5002AP-2X chip-set.
[0077] FIGS. 14-16 depict the terminators 90-92 mounted within the
housing 88 that can be substantially concealed within a wall,
thereby allowing easy and ubiquitous access to a high QOS network
connection. The housing 88 is in connection with the POF
transceiver 52 and the feedthrough transceiver 150 (for the
terminator 91) and has the 6-port Ethernet switch 56 contained
therein. Along with sharing the benefits of analogous terminators
17-19 as described with reference to FIGS. 7-9, an additional
benefit of housing the terminators 90-92 within the housing 88 is
that they can be used in lieu of a traditional telephony jack
without any loss of functionality. I.e., a traditional telephony
jack can be replaced with any of the terminators 90-92, with the
result being that not only is access to the telephony system still
available, but access to a wired or wireless high QOS Ethernet
connection is also available.
[0078] One design challenge that had to be overcome in order to fit
terminators 15-20, 90-92 within the housings 64, 88 and gangbox 89
is that of using space efficiently. With respect specifically to
the terminators 17-20, 90-92 contained within the housings 88 and
gangbox 89, using the feedthrough transceivers 150 and the POF
transceivers 52 is advantageous, as the 6-port Ethernet switches 56
have integrated PHY-level drives for interfacing with the
feedthrough transceiver 150 and the POF transceivers 52, thus
obviating the need for a discrete PHY transceiver and thereby
saving space. Separate PHY chips, such as a Marvell.TM. 88E3015
transceiver, would have had to be used to transmit Ethernet signals
transmitted solely via electrical RJ-45 jacks instead of POF
transceivers, which would have resulted in terminators having a
form factor too large to fit within the housing 88. In the
exemplary embodiments described herein, the housing 88 that can be
housed within a wall is a Hubbell model 2001 R box, which measures
3.5'' high.times.2'' wide.times.2'' deep. The housing 64 that can
be plugged into an AC power outlet measures 3.5'' in diameter and
is 1'' thick.
[0079] Additionally, in order to use space efficiently, the
circuitry used in the terminators 17-20, 90-92 is mounted on two
different printed circuit boards (PCBs). The first PCB is a
networking circuitry PCB, on which is mounted components through
which the electrical Ethernet signal passes such as the POF
transceiver 52, the feedthrough transceiver 150, the 6-port
Ethernet switch 56, the RJ-45 jacks 60, the Fast Ethernet
Transceiver 186, the Wi-Fi.TM. 802.11b/g module 100, and the
external antenna 102. The second PCB is a power circuitry PCB on
which is mounted components for providing power to the networking
circuitry PCB, such as the power supply 62, 118 and the D-Mark
header 108. The telephone jacks 116 are also mounted on the power
circuitry PCB. The power circuitry PCB and networking circuitry PCB
are stacked on each other within the housings 64, 88.
[0080] While a particular embodiment of the present invention has
been described in the foregoing, it is to be understood that other
embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention and are
intended to be included herein. It will be clear to any person
skilled in the art that modifications of and adjustments to this
invention, not shown, are possible without departing from the
spirit of the invention as demonstrated through the exemplary
embodiment. The invention is therefore to be considered limited
solely by the scope of the appended claims.
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